The Reveille 2-13-20 by Reveille

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T hu r s d ay, Fe b r u a r y 13, 2 02 0

Failing Grade Students complain of anxiety-indu c environmen ing t in Himes Testing Cen te administrat r, touts advan ion tages of system

PHOTO STORY

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Love is in the air! Check out the Reveille’s best Valentine’s Day love story submissions from the LSU community. Read on

page 2 NEWS

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LSU confirms 12 cases of mumps, expands student priority groups for free MMR vaccine.

ENTERTAINMENT

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As cheesy as it is, “Hitch” reminds its viewers of these simpler years and youthful crushes.

SPORTS

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LSU gymnastics freshman Kiya Johnson continues to draw comparisons to former greats such as Sarah Finnegan.

OPINION

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Two columnists discuss whether Valentine’s Day should be celebrated as a day for love or thrown away as a capitalistic nightmare.

L SU Re ve i l le.co m @l s u r e ve i l le

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LSU Himes Testing Center creates anxietyprovoking environment for students BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_ Livie Broussard, a plant technology sophomore, had her physics final exam in the Himes Testing Center. She booked it weeks in advance, spendt hours upon hours studying the material and calculated the exact grade she needed in order to earn an A in the class. She arrived to take her exam only to find her scheduled time slot was overbooked. Broussard had to wait outside until a spot became available. Finally, Broussard walked into the exam and presented her Tiger Card and calculator at the front desk. Although she verified the testing center’s calculator requirements beforehand and clarified with her professor that her calculator would be permissible to use, the employee at the front desk told her it wasn’t allowed and confiscated it. Broussard had to use an onscreen calculator, which does not offer the trigonometric functions necessary to complete her exam. She had to scribble most of the complex math problems on paper. “I ended up getting a much lower grade on my test than I should have because the people did not know their own rules,” Broussard said. The Himes Testing Center serves as a facility for professors to administer computerbased tests across a window of time, saving professors time on grading and allowing students to choose their test-taking time. However, for many students, the facility creates high levels of anxiety and discomfort that negatively affects their test scores. The Himes Testing Center has over 300 seats, each with a computer covered in an incognito screen cover. Students receive assigned seat numbers after checking in and are instructed to turn off phones and smart watches. Students must also place their belongings underneath their seat and can then begin their tests. The testing senter has supervisors walking around, helping students with technical problems and making sure they aren’t cheating, according to Himes Hall Associate Director David O’Brien. The workers make testtaking feel uncomfortable, especially when they leer over students’ shoulders as they work, some students said. “Once, I went to the Himes Testing Center and heard a phone go off,” photography senior Amber Hoff said. “I made eye contact with one of the workers, and he proceeded to hover around me for the rest of my test. All I could think about was if he was going to pull me out for cheating. I couldn’t focus at all on my test while he walked around my computer.” Complaints regarding Himes Testing Center employees also

pertain to the organization of the front desk workers. Many students recall arriving at the testing center to find overbooked time slots, which is typically answered with an ultimatum: wait for a seat to open up or find a new time slot. Mass communication freshman Rebecca Herin had to miss a class just so she could take a test during an overbooked time slot. “I walked up and tried to check in, but they told me they were overbooked and that I’d have to wait or reschedule,” Herin said. “I tried to reschedule, but there were no other available times, and it was the only day to take the test. So I just had to skip one of my classes in order to take the test because they messed up and overbooked.” O’Brien said this scheduling system is optimal for test-taking. “It does provide a great deal of benefits,” O’Brien said. “If you like to take tests in the morning, you can take tests in the morning. If you prefer to take tests at night, you can take tests at night. There’s more flexibility as far as changing your appointment time.” Last semester, the testing center experienced technical difficulties twice, resulting in hourlong lines and some students having to reschedule their test for the next day. On Sept. 20, the testing center shut down due to an overflow of test takers and a fire alarm. There were 3,500 students scheduled to take a test on Sept. 20, with the testing center checking in about 330 students an hour. O’Brien said this was a significantly higher number of students than usual. The fire alarm went off at 3:56 p.m. due to a minor issue in the error handling room on the third floor, according to O’Brien. On Oct. 21, the testing center turned away students waiting to check in and those already taking tests due to a technical difficulty. LSU Testing and Evaluation Services Operations Manager Sandra Guillot said a technical difficulty with the server and program was the cause of the October shutdown. For many students, the design of the testing center fails to provide a comfortable working environment. Fluorescent lighting used in the testing center has been attributed to causing panic attacks for people with anxiety issues and can cause physiological symptoms like rapid heart rate. “We do as much as we can to make it a comfortable environment while taking their test,” O’Brien said. “I can’t confirm the validity of their [the students’] statements.” Coastal environmental science junior Helen Cressy does not typically feel anxious when taking tests but has experienced

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LSU students wait in a line that stretches across the Quad to enter the LSU Testing Center in Himes Hall on Sept. 19, 2019. multiple panic attacks when taking tests at the Himes Testing Center. “All of my experiences [at the testing center] have been bad,” Cressy said. “I’ve had two or three panic attacks. There was one time where I was taking a final at 11 p.m. After studying all day for days, sitting in the dark with the bright white lights in the room created such a separate feel from the rest of campus. It felt like a hospital and it drove me crazy.” “When I take a test there, all I think is, ‘I got to get out of there.’ I feel like I have to rush through it even though I have way too much time to finish. I just feel like I have to get out of there.” However, O’Brien said the testing center does implement some measures to alleviate testtaking anxiety. “We do employ white noise on the computers, which helps eliminate background noises, so students are less distracted by the sounds of people coming in and out,” O’Brien said. “We also have privacy screens on the computers, which greys out the screen in front of you so you’re not distracted by that person scrolling up and down their screens.” The anxiety induced by the testing center may be attributed to students being in a less familiar environment. The American Research Institute performed a 2018 study regarding the difference in scores between paper and online standardized tests. Online test-takers performed, on average, as if they had 11 fewer months of preparation time than paper test-takers. The researchers hypothesize that this was possibly caused by less familiarity with computer-based testing or the facility that the testing occurred in. Other studies by the University of Nevada in Las Vegas determined test scores can lower due to a change in environment, such

as not taking a test in the same classroom. This same study also recommends should a test be administered online, study materials and practice tests should also be administered online. Center for Academic Success Director of Academic Engagement and Achievement Gloria Thomas recommended students utilize a series of test-taking strategies when testing at the testing center. “Take a deep breath and pull your shoulders back,” Thomas said. “When we get into anxious moments, especially in a testing environment, we can tend to hunch over and curl our shoulders in as we are studying the test. “When you find yourself doing that, curling into yourself, you’re compressing your ribcage and not getting enough oxygen to your brain, which makes you more anxious. Stop, sit up straight in the desk, stretch and take a few deep breaths when you notice you’re becoming more anxious.” Thomas also said students should utilize scratch paper as much as possible during computer tests. The Center for Academic Success receives an equal amount of complaints between paper-based tests and computerbased tests. The conclusion from many students was they prefer to simply have paper tests in the classroom with their professor present. “I would either want my tests to be through Moodle or on paper,” Herin said. “I don’t like the program [the Himes Testing Center] use because I can’t go back or flag my questions easily.” “Why can’t [professors] just have paper scantrons?” Cressy said. “It’s ridiculous.” “In general, I feel like going into Himes is not good for my grades or my test taking strategies,” Broussard said. “I want to be able to talk to my professor and ask questions.”

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ABOUT THE REVEILLE The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. A single issue of The Reveille is free. To purchase additional copies, please visit the Office of Student Media in B-39 Hodges Hall. The Reveille is published weekly during the fall, spring, and summer semesters, except during holidays and final exams. Second-class copies postage paid at Baton Rouge, LA, 70803. Annual weekly mailed subscriptions are $125, semester weekly mailed subscriptions are $75. Non-mailed student rates are $4 each regular semester, $2 during the summer; one copy per person, additional copies 25 cents each. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Reveille, B-39 Hodges Hall, LSU, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.

NEWS GET THE GAT(ES)

LSU to upgrade campus-wide gate access system through April

BY MARYKELLY MUNSTER @mkokayokay LSU Parking and Transportation Services is upgrading its campus-wide gate access system, but students have differing opinions on whether drivers should be allowed to cross through campus since gates will remain open during renovation. The University notified students, faculty and staff via email on Jan. 27 that, weather permitting, the upgrades will take place from Jan. 28 to April 30, 2020. Although several campus gates will remain in the upright position during the renovation, normal parking regulations will still apply. The University will tow any vehicles parked on campus without a proper permit, according to the email. Executive Director of Facility and Property Oversight Tammy Millican said the company that created the current gates went out of business shortly after the gates’ installation. “We could no longer get parts for the gates,” Millican said. “We had to leave them in the upright position. This project is to replace all of those gates with new gates.” Updated gates across campus will be installed because the current gates have parts that are discontinued and cannot be replaced. One of these irreplaceable parts includes the reader that senses “wands” on cars and lifts the gates. New access cards with be issued for all B and C Zone permit

holders. Drivers with special parking permits will be issued a new access card but should use their old wand until the gate they enter is upgraded. Drivers entering Edward Gay Apartments or the Union Square Garage with a valid permit and wand will receive new access cards before those gates are replaced. They should also continue to use their old wands until the new gates are installed. Parking and Transportation Services is holding access distribution services from Feb. 10Feb. 21: Monday, Feb. 10: Royal Cotillion Ballroom, 250 Student

Union (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Tuesday, Feb. 11: Middleton Library, 1st Floor Lobby (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Wednesday, Feb. 12: Royal Cotillion Ballroom, 250 Student Union (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Thursday, Feb. 13: Business Education Complex, Rotunda Commons (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Friday, Feb. 14: Castilian Room, 304 Student Union (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Monday, Feb. 17: Patrick F. Taylor, Capstone Atrium (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Tuesday, Feb. 18: Atchafalaya Room, 339 Student Union (10 a.m.

- 3 p.m.) Wednesday, Feb. 19: Magnolia Room, 301 Student Union (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Thursday, Feb. 20: Magnolia Room, 301 Student Union (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Friday, Feb. 21: Middleton Library, 1st Floor Lobby (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.) Collection bins will be placed across campus to recycle the old wands. Locations will be posted on the Parking & Transportation Services web page. Journalism sophomore

see PARKING, page 4

AURIANNA CORDERO / The Reveille

LSU Parking and Transportation has gates located throughout campus on Thursday, Feb 6.

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Twelve student cases of mumps confirmed BY BAILEY CHAUVIN @BaileyChauvin The LSU Student Health Center has confirmed twelve student cases of mumps, as of Feb. 12. Eleven of the 12 students with mumps live off campus, according to LSU Media Relations Director Ernie Ballard. The one student who lives on campus lives alone in an on-campus apartment and is following the public health quarantine. The mumps outbreak was communicated Feb. 4 to students and faculty in a broadcast email after the first confirmed case was presented at the Student Health Center on Jan. 31, according to Rebecca Fontenot, director of wellness and health promotion at the Student Health Center. Mumps is a contagious disease spread by contact with infectious respiratory secretions and saliva. Being in the same room as someone with mumps does not constitute exposure. Direct contact with respiratory tract secretions spreads the disease. When someone contracts mumps, the salivary glands under one or both ears swell, causing puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw, according to the CDC. Other symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness and loss of appetite. Symptoms usually appear

see MUMPS, page 4

LSU Distinguished Communicator award first of its kind BY JACOB MATTHEWS @Jacobbdm24 LSU students now have the opportunity to earn a Distinguished Communicator award, the only one of its kind in the United States. The award, along with a commendation on students’ official transcripts, is given to graduating seniors who successfully completed the University’s Communications across the Curriculum program. The spring graduation ceremony is May 14. The award was first introduced to encourage students to develop their communication skills, especially among those who don’t usually have room on their schedule for communication-intensive courses. The goal of CxC is to improve students’ written,

spoken, visual and technologi- job opportunities that interest them cal communication abilities, to show employers what they are according to CxC Assistant capable of. Director Annemarie Galeucia. The award can be earned “We wanted by any student. Many engistudents who are tak- neers, among other majors, find ing the time to go above and themselves applying to help grow beyond their their leadership and “It’s good for classes to have communication skills some kind in the business world, anyone from any of additional Galeucia said. r e c o g n i t i o n major to get it, and To earn the award, through their it’s always good to students must be t r a n s c r i p t s ,” have at least three Galeucia said. have communication remaining semesters Students in in their undergraduskills.” the program ate program and be in CHRISTOPHER DEFELICE must take four good standing with the Public relations senior communicaUniversity. tion-intensive “We ask that students courses, partenter the proner one-on-one with a LSU CxC gram with three representative and connect with a semesters left to give you time to faculty adviser. They must also build develop your skills, work with a a public website to connect with faculty adviser and take some pres-

sure off,” Program and Communications Manager Brandi Simmons said. Fifty to seventy students typically graduate with this honor each spring. This number slightly drops in the fall due to less students graduating. Public relations senior Christopher Defelice, who’s on track to receive the LSU Distinguished Communicator distinction at graduation, recommends all students consider joining the program. “It’s good for anyone from any major to get it, and it’s always good to have communication skills,” Defelice said. Defelice, a WAFB intern, even wrote an article about the CxC program to help encourage students, including those not pursuing mass communication or engineering degrees, to join the program.

“It is important for those working in any field to be able to work efficiently in teams, get their ideas across in a clear and precise manner, and form a personal network of beneficial relationships among those in their field,” Defelice wrote in the article. “The CxC program is specifically designed to give students those desperately needed communication skills that will set them apart in the professional market.” CxC at LSU was awarded the Program of Excellence award from the National Conference on College Composition and Communication in 2010. The University was the sole recipient of this award, which doesn’t happen often. “We really are on the map and are nationally recognized for being really unique and innovative,” Galeucia said.

Thursday, February 13, 2020

page 4 MUMPS, from page 3 16 to 18 days after a person becomes infected. There is no specific treatment for mumps, but most people fully recover within two weeks. However, mumps can occasionally cause serious complications. Receiving two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to prevent mumps. While the vaccine is not 100% effective, a person with two doses of the MMR vaccine will experience an 88% reduction in risk for mumps, according to the CDC. Proof of immunity to mumps or two doses of the MMR vaccine is required for all students at the University. Most students on campus should be protected due to the vaccine, according to the Student Health Center. All 12 students with mumps were in compliance with the University’s MMR vaccination require-

PARKING, from page 3 Brevin Williams said he personally took advantage of the open gates but also agreed with the University’s choice to maintain a closed campus. “I don’t think driving through campus should be encouraged because that will affect everyone walking to class,” Williams said. Public relations sophomore

ments, Ballard said. Anyone who has not received two doses of the MMR vaccine is recommended to get the vaccine as soon as possible. A third MMR vaccine is recommended for anyone who has come into contact with someone currently diagnosed with mumps, Fontenot said. Another mumps outbreak occurred at the University in 2017. About 17 student cases of mumps were confirmed in mid-March that year, with several more students showing symptoms of the disease. The 2017 mumps outbreak was part of a larger trend. A 2016 study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined the number of mumps cases that year was the highest it had been in 10 years. In 2016, 5,311 mumps cases were reported to the CDC. Students with swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears or jaw on one or both sides of the face should seek care at the Stu-

dent Health Center or with their primary care provider. Students with mumps symptoms must be kept in isolation for at least five days from the onset of salivary gland swelling. The Student Health Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Students and faculty can receive the MMR vaccine at the Student Health Center Injection Clinic, which is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Certain student priority groups can receive the MMR vaccine free of charge at the Student Health Center. These groups include students who haven’t received both doses of the vaccine and students who have received the two doses but have had direct contact with someone currently diagnosed with mumps. On Feb. 11, other “high risk”

student groups were identified: LSU tennis team members, Tiger Band members and students in fraternities or sororities. Students in one of these high risk groups can receive the MMR vaccine free of charge. For students who do not fall under a priority group, the cost for an MMR injection is $96.03, which can be paid upon service or applied to students’ fee bills. The Office of Public Health

Lucy Frankfort disagreed and thought students should be able to drive through campus. “I definitely think we should be able to drive through campus,” Frankfort said. “Having to go around is such a hassle for everyone, and it creates traffic.” Frankfort also said the gates are being replaced at an inconvenient time in the year. “I think it’s so unnecessary

to [replace the gates] during the semester,” Frankfort said. “It could very easily be done over the summer.” The new access gates will offer University officials the opportunity to close all gates with a push of a button in the event of an emergency on campus or open all gates in the event of a campus-wide evacuation. The project will be

completed in phases beginning with the replacement of campus entry gates and then the gates for each parking lot. Director of Parking and Transportation Services Mike Harris said that if all goes well, the 80 gates on campus will all be replaced by the end of April. To ensure the safety of all pedestrians on campus, guards will be placed at each gate that is under construction.

also identified certain faculty priority groups who can now receive the MMR vaccine free of charge at the Student Health Center. These priority groups include employees who have had direct contact with someone currently diagnosed with mumps, campus healthcare professionals who are responsible for direct patient care and LSUPD officers who come into direct contact with ill students while on emergency calls.

BELLA BIONDINI / The Reveille

The LSU Student Center sits at 56 Infirmary Drive on Monday, Jan. 27. “LSU is a pedestrian campus,” Millican said. “It’s a safety issue for our students, faculty and staff on campus when we have so many vehicles that are cutting through the campus or coming in to park when they shouldn’t be.” Millican also noted students who have been following parking rules should not have any trouble during the gate installations.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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REV R ANKS MOVIE

ROMEO + JULIET

Bazmark Productions

MOVIE

LA LA LAND

Summit Entertainment

Colors pop and everything is fastpaced. The actors recite the words so smoothly, and it makes me appreciate Shakespeare even more. The words come to life in such a elaborate way. It gives you a new perspective on how this play should be acted out. That’s what makes the writing beautiful.

Britney Young @byoun99

Columbia Picture

This movie is a really cute comedy, and I think Barrymore and Sandler are perfect for their roles. Movies about love can be tricky to sell to me because I don’t typically like Hallmark and Lifetime specials. However, this movie is different and every time I watch it, I find something else I love about it.

The question that comes by the end of the film lies at the center of the idea of a “realistic” relationship:. Would you sacrifice something/ someone you love, for your chance to chase your dreams?

Charles Jones @saxycj

MOVIE

50 FIRST DATES

MOVIE

THE PROPOSAL

EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_

Walt Disney Studios

If you’re searching for a funny movie to watch this Valentine’s Day, look no further. “The Proposal” is filled with heart, humor, and Betty White. The movie is perfect for Valentine’s Day and gives a laugh while showing that love really can be found in the strangest ways. MOVIE

VALENTINE’S DAY

Megan DeSopo @mdesopo99

Warner Bros. Pictures

You’re reminded of what love truly is. Love can be old and strong or fragile and new. It can be teenagers blinded by hormones or afraid to take the next step. It can be bitter, and it can be innocent. It can be a passionate love or a mother’s love.

MOVIE

HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS

Paramount Pictures

This film puts a spin of the classic romantic movie script, and I feel that it helps the movie catch more viewers. No matter your relationship status, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” is always a light romantic movie here to boost your mood.

Morgan Money @MorganPMoney MOVIE

HITCH

Overbrook Entertainment

Half of the this film’s enjoyment is watching Will Smith be the smoothest walking-and-talking individual alive. The other half is watching Smith attempt to teach Kevin James’ adorably dorky character to perform basic courting rituals.

Taner Morgan @taner_morgan

Caroline Hebert @sister_carlos

Thursday, February 13, 2020

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Best of the Reveille’s Valentine’s Day contest submissions.

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THE Daily Commuter Puzzle ACROSS 1 “Old MacDonald had a __…” 5 Ermine with a black-tipped tail 10 Early man 14 Zone 15 Lacking manners 16 Actress Glaudini 17 Easter flower 18 Buried the hatchet 20 Lemon or lime suffix 21 Cod or perch 22 Baseball’s Pee Wee 23 Accepted standards 25 Summer blower 26 Forty winks 28 Team defeats 31 Narrow street 32 Footwear 34 Notice 36 Reclines 37 Coral ridges 38 Lively 39 Scale divisions: abbr. 40 Four cups 41 Irk 42 Personal problems 44 Teeth straighteners 45 Vegetable casing 46 Native New Zealander 47 Skirt fold 50 Mattress buyer’s choice 51 __ Wednesday; 2/26/20 54 Isolate due to disease 57 Actress Sheedy 58 Seldom seen 59 Castro, for one 60 Clothed 61 Phoenix team 62 Suspicious 63 Excessive publicity DOWN 1 “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, __…”

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

Created by Jacqueline E. Mathews

2 Very dry 3 Bound and determined 4 Spring month 5 Be frugal 6 Long lock of hair 7 “That hurt!” 8 Commotion 9 Part of a royal flush 10 Flying saucer pilots 11 Clinton’s 1996 election opponent 12 Schooner drinks 13 Created 19 Uncouth 21 Unravel at the edges 24 Singles 25 Enemies 26 __ for; summon 27 Excuse 28 Upper room 29 In particular 30 Begin a tennis game 32 Black & Bering 33 That woman 35 Facial features

2/13/20

Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved

37 Was remorseful about 38 Scorch 40 Fixed minimum 41 School dance 43 Is merciful to 44 By a whisker 46 Ore seeker 47 NO followers 48 Lanai feast

2/13/20

49 Make money 50 Bona __; genuine 52 Word attached to stick or happy 53 Jekyll’s alter ego 55 Org. for Eagles & Seahawks 56 Even score 57 German exclamation

SPORTS ‘A SPECIAL ATHLETE’ LSU gymnastics’ freshman Kiya Johnson embraces key role for Tigers

BY KENNEDI LANDRY @landryyy14 The words, “you should see me in a crown,” reverberate throughout the Pete Maravich Assembly Center every Friday night during Kiya Johnson’s floor routine. The freshman all-rounder’s floor routine is performed with an instrumental version of Grammywinner Billie Eilish’s many hit song, “You Should See Me in a Crown.” It’s just the back track with no words, per NCAA gymnastics rules, but the audience in the PMAC hears the lyrics every Friday night, as her teammates and fans alike shout the chorus on beat with the routine. So you should see Johnson in a crown. And you actually do, after almost every routine when her teammates crowns her with the Tigers’ stick crown after another nearly flawless performance. Johnson has been close to perfect on the floor exercise multiple times, with three 9.975s in a row. She has been perfect on the balance beam though, scoring her first career 10 in LSU’s loss to Florida. Halfway through the season, Johnson has been named SEC Gymnast of the Week once and SEC Freshman of the Week three times. Johnson has shown week after week that she is an elite-level athlete in the conference. “I think my confidence has grown after every meet,” Johnson said. “I just try to go every week in

and week out and hit for my team. I came in with confidence because my teammates and coaches have confidence in me, but obviously all the recognition and titles, I didn’t think it would be that much.” The 17-year-old shouldn’t even be in competing for LSU right now, much less dominating one of the most difficult conferences to compete with 15 individual titles on the season. She might have more than 18 individual titles before she turns 18 in two weeks. Johnson, who was originally committed to Georgia in her high school career, decommitted after a coaching change and landed with LSU. She graduated from high school a year early, enrolling in August 2019. Looking back on it, it’s a decision that Johnson doesn’t regret. “I cannot see myself back home, in high school, still doing JO gymnastics,” Johnson said. “It was a big change and really hard to get here, but I’m glad I’m here.” The coaching staff knew Johnson would be a vital part of LSU’s lineup early in her career, but none of them could have predicted just how important and how mature she would be in the role. Co-head coach D-D Breaux said Johnson was a “cut above” of others in the recruiting process, which has shown in the way she mentally and physically prepares throughout the season. “We knew we were getting a

page 9 BASEBALL

Baseball: Tigers vs Hoosiers BY NATASHA MALONE @ malone_natasha

performances and what she’s doing,” Breaux said. “If she maintains this level of consistency and continues to polish and find her perfection point, she could be as close to a 40 in the all-around as any athlete we’ve ever had.” Even though she’s at least a year younger than her teammates, Johnson competes the with same leadership and maturity that a 23-year-old Ruby Harrold — who is the oldest member of the Tigers — shows on the floor. And while she doesn’t present that same type of vocal leadership that Harrold possesses as a fouryear member of the team, Johnson has shown that leadership in other

LSU baseball will kickoff it’s 2020 season with a three-game series against the Indiana Hoosiers on Valentine’s Day weekend. Although this weekend’s match-up is not as anticipated as a a weekend in the Southeastern Conference Series, it is by no means going to be easy for the Tigers. “We are excited for another season at The Box,” coach Paul Mainieri said with excitement. “Indiana is a good baseball club that a lot of people are overlooking. They are going to be a good test for us.” Last season, the Hoosiers finished with a record of 37-23 overall, and 17-7 in the Big-Ten conference, placing them atop the conference standings. Indiana had a promising postseason run before falling in the Louisville regional. LSU’s offense will get tested early as they will face a young, but talented, Hoosiers pitching staff. Despite losing two of its three starting pitchers last year, Indiana is hopeful about Tommy Sommer and Gabe Bierman, who are most likely the faces that LSU is going to see on the bump Friday and Saturday night.

see GYMNASTICS, page 10

see BASEBALL, page 10

ABBY KIBLER / The Reveille

LSU gymnastics freshman Kiya Johnson performs her beam routine on Friday, January 31, 2020, during LSU’s loss to Alabama in the PMAC. special athlete,” said co-head coach Jay Clark. “What we didn’t know was with her coming in a year early, we didn’t know that her maturity level would be so high, and she’s been able to be so consistent and conduct herself at such an even keeled mindset, but we had no way of knowing that.” At the beginning of the season, Breaux compared Johnson to Sarah Finnegan — a two-time uneven bars national champion and 2019 AAI Award winner. What is high praise for Johnson and seemed like an over-exaggeration at the time is now the best comparison for the freshman phenom. “Consistency wins and she’s been extremely consistent in her

Column: Zion Williamson is the man that the NBA and fans need MYLES KUSS @kussmyles

When a freight train comes down the tracks, most sane people stay out of the way. When it comes to the NBA, most people haven’t figured out that Zion Williamson is the train and everyone needs to stay off his track. Williamson is the young star the NBA has been lacking in recent seasons. Sure, it took him three quarters in his opening game against the San Antonio Spurs to figure out the pace of the professional game, but he eventually found it with four straight three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. . In every game since then, Williamson has shown a developed side of his game from rebounding, passing, dribbling and, most excitingly, jamming. Since he’s dunked once. Williamson can’t stop getting to the

rim through alley-oops, post-up moves and the like. Just like Zion, the fans cannot get enough. The 19-year-old has revived the belief in the Pelicans seemingly overnight, and he is just hitting his stride. Williamson is a different brand of player. Even when he struggled against the league’s best player Giannis Antetokounmpo, you always thought that if he had the ball, then the game was never truly lost. A feeling the Pelicans organization has not felt since Chris Paul. Yes, I know who I am not mentioning in this conversation. While he is not perfect, Williamson has been exactly what the Pelicans needed when they drafted him: a savior. The Pelicans game against the Portland Trailblazers on Feb. 11 showed exactly what kind of caliber he is capable of. Williamson scored a career high 31 points while grabbing nine rebounds, dishing five assists, and hit 11-of-14 free throws. Williamson only played 27 min-

utes and beat a contender with the hottest player in the NBA, Damian Lillard. He’s not simply a superstar, Williamson gives the city hope through his constant effort and energy. Two things that you simply have to watch to believe. Yet, it seems that every fan does not need to be reminded to watch the Pelicans this season, a quality that also has not been seen since the Paul days. Williamson loves to play the game, a factor that matters most. Whether he’s wobbling down the court or slamming home a dunk over, the kid has the same exact smile on his face and it’s contagious. If you have lost faith in the NBA after countless years of seeing LeBron James against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, look no further than this Pelicans team. Williamson leads the effort but everyone follows his lead without him saying a word.

RUSTY COSTANZA / The Associated Press

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket. And if you have been a lifelong NBA fan, look no further than Williamson as he leads his team to victory. There has never been quite an athlete like this man since James came out of high school. Yes, he will probably not be close to the shooter James was, but it simply does not matter. I urge you, if you are a fan of the NBA or not, to watch this 19-year-old kid act like one on the

NBA floor. The odds are he will do something that you have never seen before every single night. And, most importantly, Williamson wants to win and has proven that he can be the catalyst to do so. The tracks are set in place and who knows, maybe this train will lead the barren New Orleans franchise to water. All we know for sure is, if you do not get out of his way, all fans are in for a treat.

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Thursday, February 13, 2020

GYMNASTICS, from page 9 ways. “She has definitely set the pace (for the team) in the way she trains,” Clark said. “She’s consistent in everything that she does, and there’s no doubt that everybody in the

BASEBALL, from page 9 Although junior Sommer and sophomore Bierman only started five games for the Hoosiers last season, the duo is the most experienced players coming back. To shut the door at the end of games, the Hoosiers have a trio of options. Seniors Braden Scott and Grant Sloan and sophomore Matt Litwicki were productive in limited usage last season, and now have the opportunity to prove themselves in expanded late-game roles. LSU, who is returning few experienced players, is going to have to produce early and often to keep up with a high-powered Hoosiers offense who hit .250 as a team last season. For the Tigers, they will have the starting weekend rotation of Cole Henry, Landon Marceaux and AJ Labas, all of who were held to limited action last season due to injuries. Henry, who is projected to be a future first-round draft pick if he can stay healthy, served as the Tigers’ ace for the ma-

thinking about individual titles or recognition, she just wants to help her team, but as she gets more confident and conformable, she has more fun and she competes at an even higher level each time. She will be in a crown while doing it.

room would say they look to her in terms of the example to follow.” Johnson’s maturity on the floor doesn’t stop nerves from creeping in every now and then. She often looks to Harrold or other experienced teammates to help her through college gymnastics.

With the help of her teammates, Johnson is becoming more and more comfortable in the new environment. “The first meet in the PMAC, I haven’t been that nervous in so long,” Johnson said. “Even before we ran out, I was shaking. I don’t

know why, it was just a different atmosphere. Now it’s normal. It’s more fun, it’s more enjoyable when you’re confident and not focused on all the nerves. My mindset now is just being confident and I have more fun.” Johnson emphasizes she isn’t

jority of the season, and looks to maintain the success he had last season. The hard-throwing right-handed pitcher has a three-pitch mix of a mid-90s fastball, a hard 12-to-6 curveball, and a late fading changeup. In his freshman campaign, Henry posted a 4-2 mark and a 3.39 ERA in 58.1 innings with 18 walks and 72 strikeouts. Marceaux, who was in-andout the starting rotation for the Tigers last year, has improved immensely. He has lost weight and changed his pitching motion to help improve his velocity. The Destrehan native started 14 games for the Tigers last season and has a four-pitch mix with the ability to command the strike zone. “[Labas and Marceaux] are both so close in abilities that it could have easily been the other way around but we ended the season with Landon in game No. 2 so he’s got a little more big game experience,” Mainieri said. “I just thought that game two is such a pivotal game in the weekend series that we ought to go with a guy that had

a little more experience.” Labas is looking to make a contribution to a deep bullpen after missing the 2019 season with a shoulder injury. In 2018, Labas pitched in 13 games (10 starts), recording a 6-2 mark and a 3.48 ERA in 54.1 innings with seven walks and 32 strikeouts. Mainieri had high praise for Labas and his progression in the off-season. “AJ (Labas) was the highlight of the fall,” said Mainieri at LSU’s annual media day. “He probably out pitched everybody during the fall.” Mainieri was not the only one who took a liking into what Labas has accomplished in his short time back. “I hadn’t even seen him until this fall,” said Saul Garza. “When I saw him, he was electric. He was carving guys up, pounding the strike zone. That’s what we need out of a guy like AJ.” The Tigers will open up their season on Friday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.

LSU freshman first basemen Cade Beloso (24) catches the ball during the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over Kentucky on March 16, 2019,

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

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OPINION

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Head

Valentine’s Day isn’t Valentine’s Day is meaningful, worth celebrating, capitalistic worth celebrating Tea With Marie MARIE PLUNKETT @MarieC-214 There are tons of reasons to celebrate Feb. 14—it’s a Friday, it’s a week before Mardi Gras, it’s my birthday—but Valentine’s Day shouldn’t qualify as one. Valentine’s Day is hailed as a celebration of love, but it’s an overly pressurized day full of unrealistic expectationsfollowed by crushing disappointments, all masked by the cloying scent of wilting roses and overpriced chocolate. Whether you’re a kindergartner passing out paper valentines or a college student heading out for an expensive dinner, Valentine’s Day is a heavily commercialized, and frankly tacky, holiday. Stores nearly explode every February with red hearts, floating cupids and giant teddy bears which somehow cost over $50. The simple task of grocery shopping dragged out by unnecessary trips to the holiday aisle to decide whether or not that box of chocolates is worth it (spoiler alert: it’s not). Despite roughly one third of the candies in any given box of chocolates being nearly inedible (looking at you, orange creams), the tradition is the least exasperating of all the Valentine’s Day customs people are engaging in this week. Candy is candy. it’s good no matter the season, but the lavish candlelit dinners boasting heavy entrees, rich desserts and the inevitable surprise of gaudy heart-shaped jewelry are enough to take anybody out of the mood. It’s hard

to think about ethereal, abstract things like love when you’re falling into a food coma or pretending to like a piece of jewelry you will probably never wear again. Couples shouldn’t need a special holiday full of expensive meals and elaborate gifts to express their love. If you’re in a committed relationship, you should be showing love and support to your partner every day of the year, Feb. 14 or not. While it’s nice to get a little romantic reminder, love doesn’t have to be about the sweeping gestures. Love doesn’t need to be a chubby baby flying around and shooting people with arrows. It doesn’t need to be formal clothes and Michelin star restaurants. I love love, but I can’t get behind the commercialized, fake version of it touted by Valentine’s Day. Love can’t be forced no matter how long you take getting ready or how much you spend on your date, so why waste so much time and energy trying to create the perfect night? When all is said and done, Friday will be just like any other day whether you participate in Valentine’s Day activities or not. As fun as it can be to get swept up in romantic ideals and whimsical fantasies, reality almost always breaks back through as soon as the bill comes and the glaring impracticality of spending exorbitant sums for the sake of an arbitrary holiday finally hits home. Save your bank account the heartbreak and curb your expectations for this weekend. Marie Plunkett is a 20-year-old classical studies junior from New Orleans.

Carin’ Like Erin ERIN STEPHENS @epstphns St. Valentine is making his way into our hearts on this rainy February week. For many students, Valentine’s Day is a day to get dressed up, buy gifts and go on dates with their partners. It’s almost halfway through the semester, and some students at the university are already exhausted. With 100-page reading assignments, multiple essays and extracurriculars, it’s safe to say that we all need a break. For some of us, this break will include a lovely evening with loved ones on Valentine’s Day. However, there is a negative connotation associated with the holiday that should be dispelled. Valentine’s Day is promoted as a day to show love by spending money. Big companies monetize relationship expectations, such as buying expensive gifts, for profit. We can’t let society’s version of the holiday remove the true meaning of the day, which is taking time to express your love for others. Instead of viewing the holiday in its commercialized state, view it as a day to relax and appreciate the people you love. Amid class and work, many students feel overwhelmed by the financial aspect of the holiday. But money is not mutually exclusive with relationships. Money won’t buy or keep love. No gift can amount to the feelings you have for your loved ones. You shouldn’t feel compelled to buy into the capitalist version of the holiday. There are many ways to enjoy the holiday without grand expectations or money. Some people prefer meaningful cards, while oth-

ers simply want to cuddle on the couch. Acts of service are important to some, while a small gift may mean the world to you or your partner. Show your affection for loved ones. Don’t be discouraged by the advertisements. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a costly or time-consuming event. Instead of buying expensive chocolate covered strawberries, get ingredients from the store and make them together. Cook a meal at home instead of going to a restaurant. Go on a romantic walk. Enjoy a movie on the couch. Take your dog to the park. Take this time to do anything to show your appreciation for someone. This day isn’t about the gifts or the Instagram photos. That isn’t what denotes real love. Real love is choosing to be with your partner through the good and bad times. It’s making a commitment to the companionship. Love is accepting the gems and flaws of person. It’s much more than the pink and red candy aisles at Walmart. Don’t diminish the holiday because society doesn’t promote its true value of it. You should love and appreciate your partner daily, but it is easy to get caught up in the tedium of everyday life. One of my favorite ways to relax is cuddling with my partner on the couch, but that isn’t always feasible for a busy college student. That is why Valentine’s Day is so important. It allows you to spend undivided time and show endless appreciation to friends, family and anyone you love. For this Valentine’s Day, take advantage of the fact that it’s on a Friday. Call someone you love and tell them how you feel. Spend time with your friends and family. Show yourself some appreciation by taking a break from school or work. It’s all in the name of love. Erin Stephens is a 19-year-old journalism sophomore from Brusly, Louisiana.

ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

An illustration depicting the unreasonable expenses of Valentines Day.

ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

An innovating and relaxing alternative to your Valentine’s Day plans.

Editorial Policies and Procedures EDITORIAL BOARD Caleb Greene Brittney Forbes Baily Chauvin Anna Jones Rachel Mipro

Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editor Deputy News Editor Opinion Editor

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Week “The safety of the people shall be the highest law.”

Marus Tullius Cicero Roman Statesman Jan. 3, 106 BC — Dec. 7, 43 BC

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Thursday, February 13, 2020

Lack of camera transparency neglects student safety BY THE REVEILLE EDITORIAL BOARD The results of the University’s 2018-2019 Campus Climate Survey are telling. Sixty percent of students reported occasionally being fearful on campus. The percentage was higher for female and transgender/queer students. Students do not feel safe on campus, and why should students, given recent history and the University’s lack of transparency? A January article published by the Reveille detailed Sidney Slater’s stalking experience and LSUPD’s inability to alleviate the problem. The University’s security system showed no evidence of the alleged stalker and the cameras’ poor nighttime picture quality rendered the footage useless, as the detective told Slater. When the Reveille contacted LSU regarding the cameras, the University repeatedly denied the detective’s remarks to the students. The truth was lost within the back-and-forth. As part of its reporting, the Reveille scheduled interviews with Facility Services Director of Energy Services Bryan Andries and Executive Director of Facility and Property Oversight Tammy Millican. Andries cancelled, citing the need to compile information from other campus de-

partments. A subsequent meeting was never scheduled. An interview with LSUPD Police Chief Bart Thompson offered inconsistent remarks. Thompson claimed all incidents are captured on camera, but when asked about Slater’s experience, the police chief had a contradictory explanation, stating that the cameras in the area may have been in rotation and may not have caught the alleged stalking incident. After a string of attempted kidnappings near the LSU area in 2019, including one reported incident where a woman was followed in the Quad, and another was chased in the parking lot of Patrick F. Taylor Hall, questions of campus safety are more pressing than ever. The negligence the University has shown in regards to campus security is as worrying as it is shameful. Furthermore, repeated records requests filed by the Reveille for work orders and the locations of the campus’ reported 14,000 cameras have yielded no information. After a month, the Office of Legal Affairs and General Counsel stated it couldn’t respond to the request. It cited Louisiana Statute LSA-RS 44:33.A(3), which states disclosures of certain records, including records containing security

COLLIN JENKINS/ The Reveille

A photo showing one of the security cameras on LSU’s campus. procedures, are not required. With initial attempts unsuccessful, the Reveille filed additional records requests seeking invoices for purchased cameras. The University’s respective colleges pay for their own buildings’ cameras. This leads to discrepancies in security footage across campus. Are students in one corner of campus entitled to greater safety than those in another based on funding alone? The University created a new polcy in January, FASOP PD-02,

requiring all campus cameras to follow certain procedure, regardless of funding source. but it is a reactive, not a proactive, measure. In the Campus Climate Survey, 40% of comments were about the poor lighting, walking around campus and being afraid at night. Security cameras that are useless or have poor nighttime picture quality due to dim lighting, do not help with addressing these concerns. Rather, they add to this growing con-

cern among students. Something must be done. The longer administrators choose not to be transparent regarding the status of the security cameras and neglect to offer a clear response, the more reasonable it is to believe they are hiding something. But more importantly, student safety remains in question. Without a guarantee of safety, LSU fails as an academic institution. It will continue to fail thousands of students who walk this campus every day.